Canadian Man Returns Home After Detention in Beijing

Press conference planned Thursday to tell the story -- * PHONE INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE, PLEASE CALL * TORONTO, November 21, 2001 (Falun Dafa Information Center) - As reported by AP, Reuters, CNN, Canadian Press and others, over 30 westerners from 10 countries held a peaceful appeal in Tiananmen Square yesterday for the rights of Falun Gong practitioners. Among them, an "unidentified male" with a Canadian flag on his shirt, was 23-year old Zenon Dolnyckyj of Toronto. The striking photo of him from AP shows police carrying him away after the peaceful appeal Tuesday, and was featured by CNN, Reuters and others. His family was notified that he will arrive in Toronto at 10pm tonight. He will hold a news conference tomorrow to explain the purpose of his trip and describe his experience in China. PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE: Sheraton Hotel, Kent Room, 2nd floor, 123 Queen St. W, TORONTO WHEN: 10:30am Thursday November 22, 2001 (for Chinese media, time is 1pm) á á á Arrival at the Toronto Pearson Airport: 10pm, Wed. November 21, Air Canada FLT 1144, Terminal 2. CONTACT: Joel Chipkar 416-709-8678 (cell); Cindy Gu 416-494-6002, 416-419-9981 (cell) "I have practiced Falun Gong for over 3 years and benefited greatly from its profound teachings, harmonious way of life and health benefits," Zenon had said prior to his trip. He described how the practice helped him to turn from a life of drugs and mischief to become a contributing member of society. His mother, who also took up the practice of Falun Gong, spoke at a press conference Tuesday before the news of her son's release. Zenon's mother is also expected to attend the press conference. Joel Chipkar, the other Toronto practitioner who went with Dolnyckyj to China to videotape the meditation and appeal on Tiananmen Square, was reportedly the only practitioner not detained during the event. He arrived Toronto safely last night, greeted warmly by a crowd of friends, family and supporters.